Senior Benefits & Leave Specialist

Role Overview

• Send new hire benefit communications, address questions, and assist with enrollment as necessary
• Maintain updated benefit information on the company SharePoint intranet site and HRIS
• Provide timely and accurate responses to employee benefit questions
• Support the administration and processing of benefit-related events within the HRIS
• Administer FMLA, ADA, and multi-state leave programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and company policies
• Work with employees and the third-party leave administrator to track leave usage, key deadlines, and employee status changes with high accuracy
• Coordinate return‑to‑work and accommodation processes in partnership with HR and management
• Explain complex leave policies in clear, empathetic, and employee‑friendly language
• Partner with payroll to ensure accurate wage replacement and benefits deductions during leave
• Manage day-to-day administration of the 401(k) plan, including reviewing weekly HRIS integrations with the recordkeeper to ensure timely enrollment and data integrity between systems
• Audit semi-monthly deferral changes to ensure HRIS/Payroll accurately reflects changes pulled from the recordkeeper’s system
• Monitor employee changes to ensure 401(k) eligibility status is updated in a timely manner, including transfers between US and international company locations
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, including ERISA, IRS, and DOL requirements as well as non-discrimination testing, annual third-party audits, and Form 5500 filing
• Serve as the primary resource for employee questions regarding the 401(k) plan
• Work with internal and external teams to organize and execute annual Open Enrollment
• Organize and deliver employee benefits education sessions to support understanding of medical, retirement, and supplemental benefit programs
• Develop clear, engaging benefits presentations for new hire orientations, open enrollment, and targeted employee education sessions
• Work with the internal communications team and external vendors to coordinate recurring benefit education webinars, promoting value-add benefits such as EAP and financial wellness programs
• Update and manage benefits content on the company intranet, ensuring materials are current, accurate, and easy for employees to navigate
• Contribute to developing and implementing firm-approved, AI-enabled solutions for clients, in accordance with company policies on data protection, intellectual property, and professional standards
• Stay informed about emerging AI tools and techniques and collaborate with firm leadership to identify compliant opportunities to enhance client solutions and internal processes

Requirements

• 5-7 years of experience in benefits and leave administration required
• Certification, such as PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar, preferred
• Experience working with HRIS systems; Workday experience required
• Experience working with Microsoft Office applications, including SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Strong understanding of multiple state leave laws, including those in CA, NY, MA, and WA state
• Strong Excel skills, including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and data validation
• High attention to detail and ability to manage recurring deadlines
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion
• Experience or comfort working in an AI solutions–driven environment preferred
• Comfort with AI: Demonstrated ability to responsibly explore and adopt firm-approved AI tools to enhance productivity and innovation
• Continuous Learning Mindset: Openness to learning and applying emerging technologies including AI and automation in alignment with firm policies and client standards

Benefits

• The CrossCountry total rewards package includes comprehensive healthcare options, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) with company matching
• Generous parental and maternity leave policies
• Technology stipends
• Wellness reimbursement programs